SPORTS

The Letcher County Central Cougar boys basketball season ended last night with a loss to Perry County Central 57-50 in the 14th Region Semifinals at Breathitt County. The Cougars finish at 24-9 on the season, 53rd District Champions along with the KABC 14th Region Coach of the Year and 14th Region Player of the Year. Perry Central moves on to face Knott County Central for the 14th Region TItle and a trip to Rupp tonight at 7pm at Breathitt County HS in Jackson. Knott Central beat Estill County in the 2nd semi-final game last night 45-30.

The boys 13th Region champion is the Harlan County Black Bears as they got by Corbin 67-65 in the championship game last night at the Arena in Corbin.

The boys 15th Region champion is the Pikeville Panthers, who came from 18 down to beat Johnson Central 95-84 last night at the Expo Center in Pikeville.

Harlan, Knott County Central and Paintsville will represent the mountains in the girls Sweet 16 State Tournament that gets underway this Wednesday at BB & T Arena at Newport KY Northern KY University.

Harlan will play George Rogers Clark Wednesday at 8pm, Paintsville will take on Simon Kenton at 6:30 on Thursday and Knott County Central will face Henderson County at 12 noon Thursday in the state tournament.

High School baseball and softball season is right around the corner.

The 2017 baseball season begins this week. Letcher County Central and coach Andy Maggard will open this Friday March 10th at home against Sheldon Clark at 7pm. They will also play North Laurel at home on Saturday at 2pm.

The Jenkins Cavaliers and coach Robbie Delph will open the season this Thursday March 9th at Phelps at 6pm and then play at Knott County Central Friday at 6.

Letcher County Central Lady Cougar softball with coach Jay Perkins begins March 18th against Henry Clay. Jenkins Lady Cavalier softball with coach Rick Kranz will begin on March 14th with a doubleheader against JI Burton VA at home.

No. 9 Kentucky will be the #1 seed in the SEC Tournament that runs this Wednesday through Sunday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Cats get a by to the quarterfinals where they'll play this Friday March 10th at 1pm against the winner of the Georgia and Tennessee game. We'll have coverage of the Cats in the SEC Tournament including Friday's game here on the Bulldog. Pre-game will start at 11:30am. Tipoff at 1.